Signal Transmission Management System

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to transmission of signals to a plurality of subscriber receivers, where each signal represents a type of information which belongs to a particular contents category. A central management server receives administrative instructions pertaining to the transmission of the signals. In response to the administrative instructions, the central management server organizes and synchronizes signals originating from one or more signal sources before these signals are transmitted to the subscriber receivers. At least one client computer each has an interface towards the central management server. Thus, the client computer(s) may produce administrative instructions for organizing a sub-set of the signals to be transmitted via the central management server.

THE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART

The present invention relates generally to a solution for transmissionof signals to a plurality of subscriber receivers. More particularly theinvention relates to a system according to claim 1 and a client computeraccording to the preamble of claim 13. The invention also relates to acomputer program according to claim 22 and a computer readable mediumaccording to claim 23.

Advertising plays an important role in the transmission of broad- ormulticast signals, such as TV-signals and streaming transmissions overthe Internet. In the near future, it is expected to become increasinglyimportant to improve the relevance of the advertising messages andprovide an attractive pricing for the advertisers, particularly forsmaller and/or local companies. Therefore, it is essential that anadequate targeting of the transmitted commercial information beaccomplished, at least as a complement to the existing transmissionresources for broadcast signals. It is also important that thebroadcasters are offered a cost efficient solution.

The international patent application WO02/098132 of the presentapplicant describes a solution for controlling the decoding of massdistributed coded signals, such as digital satellite channels, with ahigh precision to a large number of subscriber receivers.

U.S. patent application publication 2002/0087976 describes a system fordelivering broadcast-quality video with targeted advertising to viewersover the switched communication network. For example, program streamswith appropriately inserted splice points may be transmitted from anetwork head end node to one or more egress nodes via the switchednetwork. Demographically targeted advertising is then inserted into theprogram streams at the egress nodes for subsequent delivery toindividual subscribers.

A solution for providing demographically targeted TV-commercials is alsodisclosed in the European patent application No. 424 648, A2. Anadvertising management system for digital video streams, which allowsads to be matched to groups of subscribers, is described in theinternational patent application WO00/64165. The U.S. Pat. No. 4,602,279describes a solution for providing a targeted profile in interactiveTV-distribution network.

Furthermore, various software solutions including graphical userinterfaces are also known for editing individual video files. Forexample, the international patent application WO99/52115 describes asolution for non-linear video editing which facilitates the editing ofseparate fields in a particular frame of a video clip.

Hence, the prior art includes various examples of solutions, both fortargeting signal transmissions to selected groups of receivers, and forediting video signals via a graphical user interface. However, there isyet no solution which allows one or more remote clients to organizetheir particular fraction of a larger amount of transmissions that areadministered via a central management node.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a signaltransmission solution, which alleviates the problems above and thusenables distributed clients to conveniently organize their transmissionsvia a shared resource.

According to one aspect of the invention the object is achieved by asystem for transmitting signals to a plurality of subscriber receivers.It is presumed that each signal represents a type of information whichbelongs to a particular contents category, which may be specified in alabel associated with the signal. The system includes a centralmanagement server, which is adapted to receive administrativeinstructions pertaining to the transmission of the signals to thesubscriber receivers. In response to the administrative instructions,the central management server organizes signals from at least one signalsource before transmission thereof to the subscriber receivers. Thesystem also includes at least one client computer, which each has aninterface towards the central management server and is adapted toproduce administrative instructions for organizing a sub-set of thesignals to be transmitted via the central management server.

This system is advantageous because it allows a given amounttransmission resources to be shared among a number of operators, and atthe same time, provides each operator with a large degree of freedomwith respect to how their portion of the resources is utilized.Moreover, the system is well adapted to feed back monitoring informationpertaining to the subscribers' behaviors and preferences to theoperators, such that they may enhance their planning of futuretransmissions.

According to a preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention, thesystem includes a central transmission unit which is adapted to receivethe signals from the central management server. The central transmissionunit transmits these signals (e.g. by means of a multiplexing technique)to the subscriber receivers via a central signal distribution system inaccordance with an organization scheme produced by the centralmanagement server. Thus, a unified control and monitoring of the signaltransmission is accomplished.

According to another preferred embodiment of this aspect of theinvention, the organization scheme specifies for each signal to betransmitted, a transmission resource, a time instance (preferably local)and a contents category. This information is either inserted in thesignal, or is transmitted in parallel with the signal. The parallelsignal may further originate from a local transmitter, i.e. a stationwhose signals only reach a fraction of the potential subscriberreceivers, and which does not distribute its signals via the centraltransmission unit. The contents category determines which sub-segmentthat will be presented in which subscriber receiver for at least onesegment of the signal. Thereby, by means of the organization scheme, anoperator may direct certain signal sub-segments, e.g. commercials, tosubscriber receivers associated with users belonging to specific usercategories (or having certain profiles).

Preferably, each of the subscriber receivers contains an interpretingunit having a user specific key, which represents a profile category ofat least one user associated with the subscriber receiver. Theinterpreting unit is adapted to control the signal reception, such thatthe key in combination with a piece of contents category informationreceived with respect to a segment of the signal, control the subscriberreceiver to present a predetermined sub-segment having been transmittedvia a particular transmission resource. Since all sub-segments (alongwith relevant contents category information) are sent to all subscriberreceivers, and the signal actually being decoded in each receiver isdetermined by the interpreting unit, the system becomes very robust. Forinstance, if the signal is temporarily disturbed, or by other meansdistorted, this may cause an erroneous decoding in the subscriberreceivers. However, as soon as the signal regains an acceptable signalquality each receiver will immediately continue to decode the intendedsignal. Thus, there is no risk that the tracking is lost.

According to yet another preferred embodiment of this aspect of theinvention, the system includes a return channel from at least onesubscriber receiver to the central management server. The return channelis adapted to forward activity-monitoring information pertaining tosignals having been presented in the subscriber receiver to the centralmanagement server. Moreover, the central management server is adapted togenerate a compiled data set representing different kinds of reports andthe activity-monitoring information, for example over a certain timeperiod and/or from a group of subscriber receivers.

According to still another preferred embodiment of this aspect of theinvention, at least one of at least one client computer includes a meansfor manually entering activity-monitoring information pertaining tosignals that have been presented in one or more subscriber receivers.Based on the manually entered information (which may additionally oralternatively relate to other data than activity-monitoring, e.g.demographical data), a compiled data set is produced by the centralmanagement server.

Preferably, the client computers are adapted to receive the compileddata set from the central management server. Thus, they may producetheir respective administrative instructions on basis of thisinformation. It is further preferable if the compiled data set ispresented graphically, e.g. in a diagram format. Naturally, an efficientplanning of the signal transmissions is thereby facilitated.

According to yet another preferred embodiment of this aspect of theinvention, the system includes at least one billing unit which isadapted to produce billing information pertaining to a respectiveutilization of the transmission resources that are administrated by thecentral management server. Preferably, a central billing unit extractsthe required data from the organization scheme produced by the centralmanagement server and generates a bill to each client computer operator.Moreover, a peripheral billing unit may be associated with one or moreof the client computer. The peripheral billing unit is adapted togenerate corresponding bills to advertisers who have had theircommercials transmitted via the operator in question.

According to still another preferred embodiment of this aspect of theinvention, the system includes at least one auxiliary distributionchannel outside the organization scheme produced by the centralmanagement server, which is adapted to transmit signals to thesubscriber receivers. Thereby, an operator may choose to distribute afraction of his/her signals via an alternative route as a complement ora default channel to the signals transmitted under the organization ofthe central management server. Naturally, signals that do not pass viathe proposed central management server will not be affected by theadministration performed here. Nevertheless, this does not preclude thatalso these signals are categorized depending on their contents, and havea specific signal code.

According to another aspect of the invention, the object is achieved bya client computer as initially described, which is characterized in thatit includes a graphical user interface adapted to present a timerelationship between different signals to be transmitted on at least onechannel over which the client computer has a management control. Such aninterface is desirable, since it provides each operator with anintuitive overview of the resources at his/her disposal at each timeinstance. Naturally, this is a vital tool when planning future signaltransmissions.

According to another preferred embodiment of this aspect of theinvention, the graphical user interface includes a first graphical meansadapted to, for each of the signals to be transmitted on the at leastone channel, present the signal's contents category. Furthermore, asecond graphical means in the graphical user interface is adapted to,for at least a sub-set of the signals to be transmitted, enable a userto manipulate segments of each signal, such that a particularsub-segment thereof will be presented in each subscriber receiver of thesubscriber receivers, which has a profile category matching a contentscategory associated with the particular sub-segment. Thereby, theoperators' overview of the resources at his/her respective disposal isfurther enhanced.

According to another preferred embodiment of this aspect of theinvention, the graphical user interface includes a third graphical meansadapted to, for at least a sub-set of the signals to be transmitted onthe at least one channel, enable the user to select a suitablesub-segment for each of a number of profile categories for a segment ofa signal. This is another tool that improves the operators'possibilities of accomplishing an apposite planning of theirtransmissions, such that suitable signals are presented in eachsubscriber receiver.

According to yet another preferred embodiment of this aspect of theinvention, the third graphical means, in turn, contains a selectionmeans which is adapted to enable the user to select a profile categoryfor each sub-segment. A default profile category may here be based on acompiled data set formed on basis of activity-monitoring informationpertaining to signals having been presented in the subscriber receivers.Hence, the relevance of the signals presented in the subscriberreceivers may be further improved without complicating the operators'planning of the signal transmissions.

According to still another preferred embodiment of this aspect of theinvention, the third graphical means includes a selection means adaptedto allow the user to select a geographical area within which subscriberreceivers will present the sub-segment. A default geographical area ishere based on positional information pertaining to signals that havebeen presented in the subscriber receivers previously. The positionalinformation may originate from a coverage area (e.g. a satellitefootprint or a cable network area), a positioning system (e.g. includinga GPS-receiver) associated with the subscriber receiver or manuallyentered information, such as a country code, an area code or a postalcode. Hence, the signal transmission planning is further facilitated.

According to a preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention, thethird graphical means includes a selection means which is adapted toenable the user to select a priority level for each sub-segment. Thepriority level denotes a relative position of the sub-segment within aparticular segment. Thereby, the operators may conveniently distributeindividual commercials over a commercial break, such that eachcommercial attains an adequate position in relation to the othercommercials.

According to a preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention, theclient computer contains a compiler, which is adapted to produce apreliminary organization of the signals before transmittingcorresponding administrative instructions to the central managementserver. Preferably, the graphical user interface also includes a fourthgraphical means adapted to enable a client computer user to manipulatethe preliminary organization of the signals. Moreover, the clientcomputer preferably includes processing means adapted to produceadministrative instructions to the central management server based onthe user manipulations.

Thereby, any mismatches or planning mistakes may be discovered andcorrected at the client computer, such that the risk of any undesiredinstructions being forwarded to the central management server isminimized. Moreover, a report based on the preliminary organization maybe sent to a central administrator (typically located either at theclient computer or at the central management server) before anyadministrative instructions are actually transferred, so that thecentral administrator may determine whether or not to accept thepreliminary organization proposed by a client-computer user. Naturally,the central administrator may also decide to adjust the proposedparameters (manually or automatically), such that an acceptableorganization is accomplished.

According to a further aspect of the invention the object is achieved bya computer program directly loadable into the internal memory of acomputer, comprising software for controlling the functions of the aboveproposed client computer when said program is run on a computer.

According to another aspect of the invention the object is achieved by acomputer readable medium, having a program recorded thereon, where theprogram is to make a computer control the functions of the aboveproposed client computer.

Thus, the invention offers an excellent tool for all operators whodistribute mass media, such as satellite-TV, cable-TV, terrestrialbroadcasting or Internet multicasting, and wish to increase theaccurateness of any targeted messages in their transmitted signals.Moreover, the invention provides an efficient operator control of anyadditional transmission resources that the operators may wish to usetemporarily to broadcast extra signals, such as commercials, to thesubscriber receivers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is now to be explained more closely by means ofpreferred embodiments, which are disclosed as examples, and withreference to the attached drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a system for transmitting signals to a number of subscriberreceivers according to an embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary organization scheme according to an embodimentof the invention,

FIG. 3 shows a first example of a graphical user interface of a clientcomputer according to an embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 4 shows a second example of a graphical user interface of a clientcomputer according to an embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 5 shows a third example of a graphical user interface of a clientcomputer according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 shows a fourth example of a graphical user interface of a clientcomputer according to an embodiment of the invention, and

FIG. 7 shows an alternative window layout of a graphical user interfaceaccording to an embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows an example of a proposed system for transmitting signals Sto a number of subscriber receivers 110. Each signal S is presumed torepresent a type of information, which belongs a particular contentscategory, such as “sports”, “cultural event”, “news”, “advertisement”etc. Naturally, the contents category may be relatively detailed, or bedivided into rather specialized areas, which may be primarily intendedfor viewers resident within a particular area and/or belong to a limiteddemographic group (e.g. with respect to type of household, age,education, income level and preferred language).

A number of client computers 151, 152 and 153 each has an interfacetowards a central management server 100. Each of the client computers isalso adapted to produce administrative instructions I_(adm1), I_(adm2)and I_(adm3) respectively for organizing a subset of the signals S to betransmitted to the subscriber receivers 110. This is accomplished viathe central management server 100, which is adapted to receive theadministrative instructions I_(adm1), I_(adm2), I_(adm3), and inresponse thereto organize incoming signals that may originate from manydifferent sources of which FIG. 1 illustrates a few examples. Forinstance, the client computer 151, 152 may have access to one or morelocal signal sources in the form of recorded programs s_(1a), s_(1b) ontape, disk, file, etc. 151 a, 152 a or programs s_(2a), s_(2b) producedby a live camera 151 b, 152 b. Alternatively, the client computer 151,152, 153 may have access to one or more remote signal sources 120,141-144, which are either proprietary or shared with other clientcomputers. Naturally, the signals from these sources may also be storedon beforehand C or be produced live s₁, s₂, s₃ and s₄ respectively.

Moreover, besides transmission of standard signals, data signals T_(D)may be transmitted in the form e.g. text-TV, Super text-TV or anelectronic program guide (EPG). Signals of this type may be inserted bya text insertion module 153 c, which may be connected to any of theclient computers 151-153.

A central transmission unit 160 in the system is adapted to receive thesignals S, either from the central management server 100, or directlyfrom a client computer 151, and transmit the signals S, σ1 to thesubscriber receivers 110 via a signal distribution system, which mayinclude a ground satellite station 165 and one or more satellites 170.Alternatively, the signals S may be distributed via a cable network aterrestrial broadcasting system and/or over the Internet. Hence,depending on the distribution network, the subscriber receivers 110 maybe TV-tuners, satellite signal decoders, computers or broadband mobilecommunication terminals (e.g. 3^(rd) generation mobile telephones orequivalent).

The central transmission unit 160 transmits the signals S according toan organization scheme which is produced by the central managementserver 100. For each signal S to be transmitted, the organization schemespecifies: a transmission resource to be used, an absolute start timeinstance (alternatively a relative time) and a contents category. Thecontents category determines for at least one segment of the signal S,which of two or more sub-segments that will be presented in whichsubscriber receiver 110. Typically, the contents categories may be usedto direct different commercials to different subscribers. Technicallyhowever, the contents category information may be used for controllingany subscriber receiver to present a particular signal sub-segment atany time, irrespective of whether its contents relates to a commercial,a news spot or something else.

Each of the subscriber receivers 110 namely includes an interpretationunit, which has a user specific key. This key represents a profilecategory of at least one user associated with the subscriber receiver.Thereby, the interpretation unit may be controlled in response to thedata in a contents category field (e.g. included in an associated datalabel) of a received signal, such that the subscriber receiver presentsa particular signal to the user. Exactly which signal that is presentedis determined by a combination of the characteristics of the key and thedata in a contents category field. Thus, during a commercial break, asubscriber receiver 111 associated with a viewer having an expressedinterest for motor sports may present a commercial for an engine oil,distributed via a first transmission resource, while a subscriberreceiver 111 associated with a viewer who is expected to be moreinterested in cooking may present a commercial for a new food processor,distributed via a second transmission resource. If, however, the userlacks access to the signal which is expected to be most appropriate(e.g. because the subscriber receiver in question is not associated withthe requested subscription, the signal is encrypted by means of a key towhich the receiver lacks a decryption key or the signal is transmittedby means of a pay-per-view service which the user has not purchased) adefault signal is instead presented to the user.

One or more subscriber receivers 111 may also be connected to thecentral management server 100 via a return channel N, for example over atelephone network. Thereby, the subscriber receivers 111 may forwardactivity-monitoring information R pertaining to signals S having beenpresented in the particular subscriber receiver 111 to the centralmanagement server 100. The central management server 100 may thengenerate a compiled data set, which represents the activity-monitoringinformation R, such that this information can be used when planningfuture signal transmissions, particularly with respect to any directedsignal sub-segments. Preferably, the activity-monitoring information Ris sent to the central management server 100 under a virtualidentification code (i.e. a code being different from the subscriberreceiver's 111 actual ID code), such that user associated with thesubscriber receiver 111 can be anonymous. The specific identity of eachuser is namely seldom interesting from a signal transmission planningpoint-of-view.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, one or more of theclient computers 151-153 have a means for manually entering theactivity-monitoring information R. This means may thus be used either asan alternative or as a complement to the automatically generatedactivity-monitoring information R.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, at least oneof the client computers 151, 152, 153 is adapted to receive such acompiled data set from the central management server 100, and produceits administrative instructions I_(adm1), I_(adm2), I_(adm3) on basisthereof.

Moreover, the system preferably includes a central billing unit 190connected to the central management server 100. The central billing unit190 is adapted to produce billing information pertaining to eachoperator's utilization of the transmission resources that areadministrated by the central management server 100. Correspondingly, oneor more of the client computers may be associated with a peripheralbilling unit 191, which in turn is adapted to produce billinginformation pertaining to each the services that advertisers haveobtained via the operator in question, for example having theircommercials transmitted. Preferably, the peripheral billing unit 191produces its billing information on basis of the administrativeinstructions I_(adm1) generated by the relevant client computer 151.

It is also preferred that at least one auxiliary distribution channel isprovided outside the distribution resources being administrated by thecentral management server 100. For example, a first client computer 151may have a direct-connection to the central transmission unit 160, suchthat it may transmit signals σ1 without passing through the centralmanagement server 100. Thereby, the central management server 100 couldbe used merely as a complement for transmitted additive signals tosupplement a default signal distribution which is organized separately.Similarly, a second client computer 152 may have access to atransmission unit 185 of its own, through which signals σ2 may betransmitted to the subscriber receivers 110 outside the centralmanagement server 100. Additionally, any of the servers, computers andunits 100, 151, 152, 153, 160, 190 and 191 respectively may beassociated with one or more backup units to safeguard against failuresand crashes.

A more detailed description of the above-mentioned organization schemewill be presented below with reference to FIG. 2. This figure shows anexemplary organization scheme 200, which preferably is accessible via agraphical user interface at the central management server 100.

The scheme 200 specifies, for each signal to be transmitted, atransmission resource TV3, TV4, TV5, CNN, Fill1, Fill2, Fill3, and Fill4respectively along a horizontal line. A scalable common time line 240represents an absolute time reference for all the transmissionresources. Preferably, a time line corresponding to the time line 240 inthe client computer indicates a local time of the time zone in which theclient computer is located. Naturally, this time reference may have tobe adjusted by the central management server 100 in case the latter unitis located in a different time zone. Alternatively, the system may bebased on a central time reference, administered by the centralmanagement server 100, and in each client computer this time referenceis converted into an appropriate local time.

The scheme 200 also indicates a start time instance and a contentscategory (e.g. “Live sport event”) for each signal. A vertical timeindicator 210 designates a present time instance. Preferably, the timeindicator 210 includes a set of down-counters 220 which for eachtransmission resource indicates the amount of time left until a nextevent on the transmission resource, i.e. when the signal transmittedthereon changes from representing a first type of content to a secondtype of content, or when a new program, commercial etc. begins.Additionally, a particular symbol field 230 for each transmissionresource may illustrate the type of content for a following program(alternatively a current program) by means of a characteristic symbol,and a subtext associated thereto may specify details pertaining to anysub-segments of the currently transmitted signal segment. Theorganization scheme 200 may be generated on basis of an EPG.

FIG. 3 shows a first example of a graphical user interface 300 of aclient computer according to an embodiment of the invention. Theinterface 300 presents a time relationship between different signals tobe transmitted on one or more channels TV1 and TV2, which are controlledby the client computer via a first graphical means 310. In this examplethe channels TV1 and TV2 are presumed to be handled by the sameoperator. Therefore, they appear conjunctly. For each channel TV1 andTV2, the first graphical means 310 presents the signals(programs/commercials) to be transmitted, and when the individual signalsegments begin and end in the form of a respective time line.Preferably, a particular symbol field 315 for each channel illustrates,by means of a characteristic symbol, either the type of content for aprogram following the current program, or the current type of programdepending on the user's choice. A subtext associated to the symbol field315 may specify details pertaining to any sub-segments of the followingprogram. The first graphical means 310 may either present theinformation on beforehand (to allow editing), or in real-time (formonitoring purposes). Of course, two versions of the first graphicalmeans 310 may also be presented, such that one window displays future(i.e. editable) information, and one window displays currentinformation.

A second graphical means 320 of the interface 300 shows an editingwindow in which an individual signal segment, such as a commercial maybe manipulated to fit into a desired time slot on a channel TV1 or TV2controlled via the operator's client computer. For example, the secondgraphical means 320 may be adapted to enable a user to cut a file (e.g.in MPEG-format) that represents a signal segment 4 to a desired length,set a desired contents category, etc. The second graphical means 320 mayalso be used to preview the signal segment 4 to check whether itscontents is deemed suitable with respect to the contents of anyneighboring signal segments.

The second graphical means 320 may also be used to adjust the soundlevel (i.e. volume) of a signal segment, such that this level becomesadapted to the sound level of any neighboring signal segments. Thereby,the transitions between different signal segments can be made relativelysmooth.

A third graphical means 330 of the interface 300 shows an archive ofstored signals and available live transmissions 1, 2, . . . , 28 (e.g.TV-programs) that may be selected for transmission over the channels TV1and TV2. A selection means in the third graphical means 330 enables theclient computer user to allocate a desired set of characteristics, suchas profile category, priority level, country, geographical zone andexternal information, to each of these signals 1-28. The third graphicalmeans 330 also allows new signals to be imported and edited signals tobe exported.

FIG. 4 shows another example of a view in the graphical user interface300 which illustrates this feature more clearly. The third graphicalmeans 330 here shows an archive of stored signals A, B, . . . , Z in theform of commercials. For example, via the third graphical means 330, aparticular commercial D may be allocated a default profile category(indicating that this is the “original” signal to be broadcast and thatsubscriber units whose key does not match any particular contentscategory will present this signal), a priority level 1 (meaning that thedefault-position for the commercial in any commercial break will be at amost attractive time slot, such as the first or the last), a nation-widecoverage (i.e. all zones) in the countries USA, Canada and Mexico. Thethird graphical means 330 also shows that the commercial D has a lengthof 20 seconds and that the advertiser's name is “Travel Co. Ltd.”,information about the product, such as specifications data sheets, alisting over retailers, pricing etc. According to a preferred embodimentof the invention, a piece of billing information is generated each timea particular advertiser's commercial is transmitted, so that later acompiled bill which reflects the exposure of the advertiser's commercialmay be produced automatically on basis of these pieces of billinginformation.

Moreover, in the FIG. 4, the editing window of the second graphicalmeans, here referenced 340, now shows a sub-set of the signals that willbe sent during sub-segments 1, 2, . . . , 8 of a signal segment s′ onthe channel TV1. The editing window also shows the number oftransmission resources that are available for distributing the signals.However, this is not necessary for the functionality of allowing theclient computer user to select different signals for differentcategories of viewers. For example, during a first time slot 1 (havingthe highest priority level) a default transmission resource for thechannel TV1 will transmit a particular signal sub-segment s′_(1d) havingthe default profile category. This means that the signal sub-segments′_(1d) is going to be presented in all subscriber receivers whoseprofile category does not match any other signal sub-segment transmittedat the same time on the alternative transmission resources Fill1, Fill2,Fill3, Fill4 or Fill5. In this example, there are no such signals.However, two of the alternative transmission resources, namely Fill4 andFill5, are marked as free, while the remaining three transmissionresources Fill1, Fill2 and Fill3 are blocked (typically because they arereserved by another client computer). The transmission resources Fill4and Fill5 may (if so desired) be used to transmit non-default signals.Thus, the client computer user may utilize the free resources Fill4 andFill5 to distribute other signals that he/she finds suitable. Aso-called auto loading procedure may be used to automatically fill thesecond graphical means 340 with commercials A-Z from the third graphicalmeans 330. This means that a number of commercials, say A-G, are placedat respective appropriate slots 1-8 and transmission resources Default,Fill1, Fill2, Fill3, Fill4, Fill5 depending on their profile categories.

For instance, any selection of new signal sub-segments may be based ongeographical considerations. Namely, a piece of geographical areainformation associated with individual subscriber receivers makes itpossible to control each subscriber receiver to respond to receivedgeographical signal data, and present a particular signal which isrelevant for its respective geographical area. Moreover, informationwith respect to viewer preferences in certain areas may be extractedfrom return signal information sent to the central management server.Preferably, such penetration information is presented graphically, forinstance by means of a map as illustrated in FIG. 7.

FIG. 5 illustrates yet another example of a view in the graphical userinterface 300 in a client computer. Here, the time scale in the firstgraphical means 310 is more detailed. The full contents of a firstsignal segment s′ on the channel TV2 starting at 17:04:30 and ending at17:08:40 is represented in an expanded graphical form. It is presumedthat the operator has in total six parallel transmission resources athis/her disposal (typically one “original” resource and five“additional” resources), which may be shared with one or more otheroperators. The FIG. 5 shows that during a first time slot one of theresources is occupied, and two of the remaining resources are free;during a second time slot three of the resources are occupied, and oneof the remaining three resources is free; during a third time slot threeof the resources are occupied, and all the remaining three resources arefree; during a fourth and a fifth time slot four of the resources areoccupied, and both the remaining two resources are free; and during asixth, a seventh and an eighth time slot all the resources are occupied.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, if the centralmanagement server finds that two or more client computers have decidedto transmit exactly the same sub-segment in two or more parallel timeslots (i.e. simultaneously, however via different transmissionresources), the central management server manages the sub-segment andcontrols the transmission such that the sub-segment in question is onlytransmitted via one of these transmission resources. Thereby, thetransmission resources are economized.

A second signal segment s″ on the channel TV1 starting at 17:10:50 andending at 17:15:20 is represented in a mainly compressed graphical form,i.e. a more compact format than the above-described expanded ditto. Inthis example, only a fourth time slot is represented in the expandedformat. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, thegraphical format is shifted between the expanded and the compressed formby clicking on a particular time slot, or simply by moving a cursorsymbol over there over. Again, a symbol field 315 may illustrate thetype of content for a program following the current program by means ofa characteristic symbol.

Preferably, the client computer includes a compiler adapted to produce apreliminary organization and synchronization of the signals on thechannels at the operator's disposal before transmitting correspondingadministrative instructions to the central management server. Hence, thecompiler accomplishes a preliminary scheduling. Furthermore, thegraphical user interface 300 preferably includes a fourth graphicalmeans (not shown) which is adapted to enable a client computer user tomanipulate the preliminary organization of the signals. The clientcomputer should also include a processing means adapted to, based on anyuser manipulations, produce the administrative instructions and transmitthese to the central management server or insert information (e.g.teletext, subtitles or EPG by means of data insertion unit) in theoriginal signal to be transmitted to the subscriber receivers.

Yet another example of a graphical user interface of a client computeraccording to an embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 6. Here,the third graphical means 330 represents an advertisement archive,wherein a number of different commercials are stored. For example, byselecting a particular commercial D a set of available sound tracks ENG,FRE, GRE, GER, ITA, SPA, POR, RUS, BUL, TUR, associated with thecommercial D are presented in a window 350. Typically, the sound tracksENG, FRE, GRE, GER, ITA, SPA, POR, RUS, BUL, TUR represent differentlanguages. However, technically they may contain arbitrary kind ofacoustic information. According to a preferred embodiment of theinvention, a relevant default distribution area and priority areassociated with each sound track (e.g. the country code GER=Germany isassociated with the sound track which contains German, etc.).

In this example, the first graphical means 310 shows a time lineillustrating various sound tracks a tracks ENG, ENG, GER, GER and SPAbeing transmitted in parallel. The double ENG- and GER-tracks hererepresent stereo transmissions, whereas the single SPA-track representsa transmission of mono sound. According to a preferred embodiment of theinvention, a selection of a commercial A′ in the first graphical means310 automatically highlights a corresponding sound track GER in thewindow 350 and an illustrating symbol 355 in connection with the timeline.

FIG. 7 shows yet an alternative window of a proposed graphical userinterface 400. Here, a button row 410 contains a first button 411 foropening a data file, a second button for saving a file, a third button413 for selecting/highlighting an object, a fourth button 414 fordrawing (on freehand) a figure to mark-up an area on the map, a fifthbutton 415 for drawing an elliptic figure to mark-up an area on the map,a sixth button 416 for opening another map, a seventh button 417 forselecting a particular area code, an eighth button 418 for selecting aparticular postal code, a ninth button 419 for selecting a particularcountry or other geographical region, a tenth button 420 for selecting aparticular household type, an eleventh button 421 for selecting aparticular subscriber profile/category, a twelfth button 422 for showingdetails pertaining to a selected object, a thirteenth button 423 forzooming (in or out), a fourteenth button 424 for adding text elements, afifteenth button 425 for printing an active file or object, a sixteenthbutton 426 for importing and exporting data, a seventeenth button 427for previewing information (e.g. related to subscriber activities withrespect to signals having been received), an eighteenth button 428 fordisplaying a particular time zone, and a nineteenth button 429 fordiscarding a selected object. Additionally, various buttons (not shown)for displaying coverage areas for different transmitters (e.g. satellitefootprints) may be included.

A client computer user may use the buttons 411-429 in the button row 410in order to aid him/her to direct certain signal segments to relevantsubscriber receivers, and thereby accomplish an accurate signaltargeting.

Naturally, any of the graphical means and windows described above withreference to the FIGS. 2-7 may be subjected to any standardwindow-functions, such as resizing, minimizing, maximizing, moving,cutting, pasting, dragging, dropping etc.

All the server and client computer functions described above withreference to the FIGS. 2-7 may be controlled by means of a programmedcomputer apparatus. Moreover, although the embodiments of the inventiondescribed above with reference to the drawings comprise computerapparatus and processes performed in computer apparatus, the inventionthus also extends to computer programs, particularly computer programson or in a carrier, adapted for putting the invention into practice. Theprogram may be in the form of source code, object code, a codeintermediate source and object code such as in partially compiled form,or in any other form suitable for use in the implementation of theprocess according to the invention. The carrier may be any entity ordevice capable of carrying the program. For example, the carrier maycomprise a storage medium, such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), for examplea CD (Compact Disc) or a semiconductor ROM, or a magnetic recordingmedium, for example a floppy disc or hard disc. Further, the carrier maybe a transmissible carrier such as an electrical or optical signal whichmay be conveyed via electrical or optical cable or by radio or by othermeans. When the program is embodied in a signal which may be conveyeddirectly by a cable or other device or means, the carrier may beconstituted by such cable or device or means. Alternatively, the carriermay be an integrated circuit in which the program is embedded, theintegrated circuit being adapted for performing, or for use in theperformance of, the relevant processes.

The term “comprises/comprising” when used in this specification is takento specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps orcomponents. However, the term does not preclude the presence or additionof one or more additional features, integers, steps or components orgroups thereof.

The invention is not restricted to the described embodiments in thefigures, but may be varied freely within the scope of the claims.

1. A system for transmitting signals (S) to a plurality of subscriberreceivers (110), wherein each signal (S) represents a type ofinformation belonging to a particular contents category, comprising: acentral management server (100) adapted to receive administrativeinstructions (I_(adm1), I_(adm2), I_(adm3)) pertaining to thetransmission of the signals (S) to the subscriber receivers (110), andin response to the administrative instructions (I_(adm1), I_(adm2),I_(adm3)) organize signals (s_(1a), s_(1b), s_(2a), s_(2b), s₁, s₂, s₃,s₄, C) from at least one signal source (120, 141, 142, 143, 144, 151a-b, 152 a-b) before transmission thereof to the subscriber receivers(110), and at least one client computer (151, 152, 153) each having aninterface towards the central management server (100) and being adaptedto produce administrative instructions (I_(adm1), I_(adm2), I_(adm3))for organizing a sub-set of the signals (S) to be transmitted via thecentral management server (100).
 2. A system according to claim 1,characterized in that it comprises a central transmission unit (160)adapted to receive the signals (S) from the central management server(100) and, in accordance with an organization scheme (200) produced bythe central management server (100), transmit these signals (S) to thesubscriber receivers (110) via a central signal distribution system(165, 170).
 3. A system according to claim 2, characterized in that theorganization scheme (200) specifies, for each signal (S) to betransmitted, a transmission resource (TV3, TV4, TV5, CNN, Fill1, Fill2,Fill3, Fill4), a time instance and a contents category, wherein thecontents category for at least one segment (s′) of the signal (S)determines which sub-segment that will be presented in which subscriberreceiver (110).
 4. A system according to claim 3, characterized in thateach of the subscriber receivers (110) comprises an interpreting unithaving a user specific key representing a profile category of at leastone user associated with the subscriber receiver, the interpreting unitbeing adapted to control the reception of a signal (S) such that the keyin combination with a piece of contents category information receivedwith respect to a segment (s′) of the signal (S) control the subscriberreceiver to present a predetermined sub-segment (s′_(1d)) transmittedvia a particular transmission resource (TV3, TV4, TV5, CNN, Fill1,Fill2, Fill3, Fill4).
 5. A system according to any one of the claims 3or 4, characterized in that it comprises a return channel (N) from atleast one particular subscriber receiver (111) of the subscriberreceivers (110) adapted to forward activity-monitoring information (R)pertaining to signals (S) having been presented in the particularsubscriber receiver (111) to the central management server (100), andthe central management server (100) is adapted to generate a compileddata set representing the activity-monitoring information (R).
 6. Asystem according to any one of the claims 3-5, characterized in that atleast one of at least one client computer (151, 152, 153) comprises ameans for manually entering activity-monitoring information (R)pertaining to signals (S) having been presented in one or moresubscriber receivers (110), and based thereon produce a compiled dataset representing the activity-monitoring information (R).
 7. A systemaccording to any one of the claims 5 or 6, characterized in that atleast one of the at least one client computer (151, 152, 153) is adaptedto receive the compiled data set from the central management server(100), and produce the administrative instructions (I_(adm1), I_(adm2),I_(adm3)) on basis thereof.
 8. A system according to any one of theclaims 3-7, characterized in that it comprises at least one billing unit(190, 191) adapted to produce billing information pertaining to arespective utilization of the transmission resources (TV3, TV4, TV5,CNN, Fill1, Fill2, Fill3, Fill4) administrated by the central managementserver (100).
 9. A system according to any one of the claims 2-8,characterized in that it comprises at least one auxiliary distributionchannel (165, 185) adapted to transmit signals (S, σ1, σ2) to thesubscriber receivers (110) outside the organization scheme (200)produced by the central management server (100)
 10. A system accordingto claim 9, characterized in that the at least one auxiliarydistribution channel includes at least one distribution resource (185)in addition to the central signal distribution system (165, 170).
 11. Asystem according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized inthat the signals (S, σ1, σ2) represent at least one of text information,acoustic information, image information and video information.
 12. Asystem according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized inthat at least one of the subscriber receivers (110) is represented by atleast one of a TV-tuner, a satellite signal decoder, a computer and abroadband mobile communication terminal.
 13. A client computer (151,152, 153) adapted to be included in a system according to any one of theclaims 1-12, characterized in that it comprises a graphical userinterface (300) adapted to present a time relationship between differentsignals (S) to be transmitted on at least one channel (TV1, TV2) overwhich the client computer has a management control.
 14. A clientcomputer (151, 152, 153) according to claim 13, characterized in thatthe graphical user interface (300) comprises a first graphical means(310) adapted to, for each of the signals (S) to be transmitted on theat least one channel (TV1, TV2), present the signal's contents category,and a second graphical means (320) adapted to, for at least a sub-set ofthe signals (S) to be transmitted on the at least one channel (TV1,TV2), enable a user to manipulate segments (s′) of each signal (S) suchthat a particular sub-segment (s′_(1d)) will be presented in eachsubscriber receiver of the subscriber receivers (110) which has aprofile category matching a contents category associated with theparticular sub-segment (s′_(1d)).
 15. A client computer (151, 152, 153)according to claim 14, characterized in that the graphical userinterface comprises a third graphical means (330) adapted to, for atleast a sub-set of the signals (S) to be transmitted on the at least onechannel (TV1, TV2), enable the user to select a suitable sub-segment(s′_(1d)) for each of a number of profile categories for a segment (s′)of a signal (S).
 16. A client computer (151, 152, 153) according toclaim 15, characterized in that the third graphical means (330)comprises a selection means adapted to enable the user to, for eachsub-segment (s′_(1d)) select a profile category, wherein a defaultprofile category is based on a compiled data set formed on basis ofactivity-monitoring information (R) pertaining to signals (S) havingbeen presented in the subscriber receivers (110).
 17. A client computer(151, 152, 153) according to any one of the claims 15 or 16,characterized in that the third graphical means (330) comprises aselection means adapted to allow the user to, for each sub-segment(s′_(1d)) select a geographical area within which subscriber receiverswill present the sub-segment (s′_(1d)), wherein a default geographicalarea is based on positional information pertaining to signals (S) havingbeen presented in the subscriber receivers (110).
 18. A client computer(151, 152, 153) according to any one of the claims 15-17, characterizedin that the third graphical means (330) comprises a selection meansadapted to enable the user to, for each sub-segment (s′_(1d)) select apriority level denoting a relative position of the sub-segment (s′_(1d))within a particular segment (s′).
 19. A client computer (151, 152, 153)according to any one of the claims 13-18, characterized in that itcomprises a compiler adapted to produce a preliminary organization ofthe signals (S) on the at least one channel (TV1, TV2) beforetransmitting corresponding administrative instructions to the centralmanagement server (100).
 20. A client computer (151, 152, 153) accordingto claim 19, characterized in that the graphical user interfacecomprises a fourth graphical means adapted to enable a user tomanipulate the preliminary organization of the signals (S), and clientcomputer comprises processing means adapted to, based on the usermanipulations, produce administrative instructions to the centralmanagement server (100).
 21. A client computer (151, 152, 153) accordingto any one of the claims 13-20, characterized in that the signals (S,σ1, σ2) represent at least one of text information, acousticinformation, image information and video information.
 22. A computerprogram directly loadable into the internal memory of a computer,comprising software for controlling the functions of a client computeraccording to any of the claims 13-21 when said program is run on thecomputer.
 23. A computer readable medium, having a program recordedthereon, where the program is to make a computer control the functionsof a client computer according to any of the claims 13-21.